Dominican Republic vs Nicaragua Prediction WBC 3/13/23

The Dominican Republic and Nicaragua are set to face off in the World Baseball Classic on March 13, 2023, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing losses in their previous games.

The Dominican Republic suffered a 5-1 defeat to Venezuela, while Nicaragua fell to Puerto Rico by a score of 9-1. With both teams desperate for a win, this game promises to be a battle for redemption.

Let's take a closer look at each team's hitting and pitching and analyze their chances of coming out on top.

Dominican Republic

Hitting

The Dominican Republic's hitting was lackluster in their loss to Venezuela, managing just one run on five hits. However, they have a strong lineup with several players who are capable of making an impact.

Juan Soto, who plays for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball (MLB), is one of the most exciting young talents in the game. He had a solid performance against Venezuela, going 2-5 with a double and an RBI.

Jeimer Candelario and Julio Rodriguez also had hits in the game, and the Dominican Republic will need them to step up once again if they want to defeat Nicaragua.

Pitching

The Dominican Republic's pitching struggled in their loss to Venezuela, with starter Sandy Alcantara allowing three runs in just 3.2 innings of work. The bullpen also struggled, allowing two more runs to seal the defeat.

However, the Dominican Republic has some quality arms in their bullpen that can turn things around. Yimi Garcia, who plays for the Miami Marlins in the MLB, is a reliable late-inning option with a career ERA of 3.45. Hector Neris, who plays for the Houston Astros, is also a solid reliever with a career ERA of 3.38.

If the Dominican Republic's pitching can bounce back and shut down Nicaragua's offense, they have a good chance of winning this game.

Nicaragua

Hitting

Nicaragua's hitting was also disappointing in their loss to Puerto Rico, managing just one run on five hits. However, they have some talented players in their lineup who are capable of making a difference.

Elian Miranda had a strong performance against Puerto Rico, going 1-3 with a home run and a walk. Juan Montes also had two hits in the game, and Norlando Valle went 2-4 with a double.

If Nicaragua's hitters can find their rhythm and produce some runs, they could cause problems for the Dominican Republic.

Pitching

Nicaragua's pitching struggled in their loss to Puerto Rico, with starter Melvin Novoa allowing four runs in just 2.2 innings. The bullpen also had a tough time, allowing five more runs to put the game out of reach.

However, Nicaragua has some talented pitchers who could turn things around in this game. Alex Blandino, who plays for the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB, is a capable reliever with a career ERA of 4.50. Benjamin Alegria, who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays, is also a promising young pitcher who could make an impact.

If Nicaragua's pitching can hold the Dominican Republic's hitters in check, they have a chance of pulling off an upset.

Injuries

Both teams have no major injuries to report, which is good news for their chances in this game. However, they will need to keep an eye on their players' health throughout the tournament to avoid any setbacks.

Prediction

This game is crucial for both teams, as a loss could put them in a difficult position to advance to the next round. The Dominican Republic has a more experienced and talented team, but Nicaragua could cause an upset if their hitting and pitching click.

Ultimately, we predict that the Dominican Republic will come out on top in this game. They have a strong lineup with several MLB stars, and their bullpen has the potential to shut down Nicaragua's offense. However, it won't be an easy win, and Nicaragua could make things interesting if they play to their potential.

Pick: Dominican Republic

Conclusion

The Dominican Republic and Nicaragua are both looking for redemption in the World Baseball Classic, and this game could be crucial to their chances of advancing to the next round. With talented hitters and pitchers on both sides, it promises to be an exciting matchup. We'll have to wait and see which team comes out on top on March 13.